HC Deb 16 December 1941 vol 376 cc1912-3

Motion made, and Question proposed, That a Select Committee be appointed to examine all documents and records in the custody or control of any officer of the House; to report which of these may be destroyed and which are of sufficient historical interest to justify their preservation; and to recommend methods for securing the safe custody of any classes of documents which ought to be preserved.

Mr. Edmund Harvey (Combined English Universities)

May we have a little information as to the nature of the documents which it is proposed should be destroyed? It is of very great importance that no documents should be destroyed which in later years may be of historical interest.

Major Dugdale (Lord of the Treasury)

I understand that the documents include some reports of the House and of Committees. The purpose of the Select Committee is to see that no document of any value is destroyed.

Question put, and agreed to.

Ordered, That a Select Committee be appointed to examine all documents and records in the custody or control of any officer of the House; to report which of these may be destroyed and which are of sufficient historical interest to justify their preservation and to recommend methods for securing the safe custody of any classes of documents which ought to be preserved.

Committee nominated of Mr. Garro Jones, Sir Percy Harris, Sir Dennis Herbert, Mr. Nicolson and Mr. Pickthorn.

Ordered, That the Committee have power to send for persons, papers and records.

Ordered, That Three be the quorum."—[Major Dugdale.]